Living with an autoimmune disease or any other chronic disease is always challenging. Moreover, it has become harder to find the best careers for auto immune disease.
In this article, I’ll help you to find suitable jobs with autoimmune illnesses; besides this, I’ll also discuss maintaining a work-life balance; most jobs that I’m mentioning are flexible; you can do them remotely, even sitting on your couch, and they’re low-stress jobs too.
It’s also important to know why some careers are better for managing your chronic conditions.
Why Career Choice Matters for Autoimmune Disease
There are many reasons why choosing some of the best careers for autoimmune disease matters.
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases in the Workplace
Autoimmune disease is very challenging because a person affected by it doesn’t know when symptoms can occur, as they’re unpredictable.
Therefore, it’s important to find a place where you can get flexibility, adjustable workload, and most importantly a supportive environment.
You’ve to find an employer who offers flexible hours and remote work and understands employees’ needs, especially those dealing with an unpredictable autoimmune disease.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Career
One of the biggest benefits of choosing the best careers for autoimmune diseases is that you’ll have the flexibility to set your own working hours, and you can even work from home.
As I’ve said, autoimmune disease is unpredictable. You don’t know when symptoms can occur, so god forbid, if you suddenly start feeling fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, etc, what will you do?
If you’re at home, you can manage that, plus your family members can also take care of you. Therefore, you need to find jobs that can also be done from home or they’re part-time. Symptoms of autoimmune disease occur suddenly, so choosing some of the best careers for autoimmune disease is a must.
Moreover, your jobs need to be satisfied, and you don’t want to get hectic while you’re suffering from chronic conditions. You’ve to find jobs that allow you to manage your health without compromising. Mental health and physical health both are equally important.
Top 10 Best Careers for Autoimmune Disease
These are some of the suitable career options for someone who is dealing with autoimmune or any other chronic conditions.
1. Freelance Writer or Editor
One of the best autoimmune disease-friendly career options is choosing to become a freelance writer. The first benefit of the job is that it provides you with flexibility, so you’re free to set your own working hours.
The second benefit of becoming a freelance writer is that you can make a pretty decent income. Many experienced writers are charging over $100 for writing a piece of article, and that too in just 1500 words.
Moreover, it isn’t very hard to become a writer, and you just need to have some grammatical knowledge; you can also use software like Grammarly to improve your writing skills. Besides this, you want to have faster typing skills, a little bit of experience, or the ability to work in the field you want to write about.
All of these things can be learned from YouTube for free. I know people who are charging even $500 for a piece of article; from my experience, if you’re finishing an article within 4 to 6 hours and making a couple of hundred dollars, it’s still a good amount, isn’t it?
To become a high-paying freelance writer, you have to learn content writing, proofreading (you can also use software to find mistakes and make the document error-free), topic research, etc.
2. Virtual Assistant
Another job for someone who is suffering from chronic conditions like autoimmune disease is becoming a virtual assistant. In this type of job, you have a simple role where you’ve to do various tasks for businesses and individuals, such as managing mail, scheduling appointments, handling administrative duties, and other simple things; you just want to be a helping hand to someone.
Virtual assistant jobs provide you flexibility and can also be done remotely while sitting on your couch or lying in your bed. When you are doing a flexible job while suffering from an autoimmune illness where symptoms are unpredictable, you can take a break whenever you need to without getting burned.
Besides this, a Virtual Assistant job is easy to do; it doesn’t require a lot of physical exertion or attention, and you are surely going to enjoy these tasks.
If you want to work from home, just buy some economical furniture accessories and set up a home office where you can maintain proficiency and work effectively sitting in a quiet environment.
3. Medical Coder
One of the best jobs for autoimmune disease is becoming a medical coder, which is in demand now, especially after the pandemic that we have seen in the past. Being a medical coder, you’ve to analyze patients’ records and code them for insurance.
You just need to have writing skills, attention to detail, etc, because you can’t compromise anyone’s health. However, this medical coder job can also be done from home so you can manage your symptoms.
Moreover, medical coder jobs are continuously growing, and job security is offered with stable income opportunities. Suffering from a chronic condition like an autoimmune disease, you may want to choose a medical coder career, as it’s one of the best jobs for autoimmune disease sufferers.
4. Graphic Designer
If you’re creative and don’t like physically demanding jobs, as you’re already suffering from chronic conditions like an autoimmune disease, you may want to choose a graphic design career.
From my point of view, graphic designing is one of the low-stress jobs and a fun way to make money without getting burned out. Moreover, it’s easy to learn graphic design.
You can find graphic designing jobs on freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc. Even if you’re working for a company, you can still ask them to provide you flexibility and the opportunity to work from home remotely due to health issues you are suffering from.
Although the graphic design industry is huge, it doesn’t require physical exertion. You won’t get burned out or bored, and most likely, you would love graphic designing, so you must give it a try.
5. Customer Service Representative
If you’re looking for a part-time job that also provides a friendly work environment, then choosing a customer service representative career might be an excellent choice. Because you can work according to your health needs as it offers flexibility.
Besides this, you don’t need to have experience because there are many different types of companies offering customer support 24/7, so they hire customer representatives to provide help to their customers. You can get customer representative jobs in telecommunication fields, E-Commerce companies like Amazon, and many others.
If we talk about skills that you need to become a customer service representative, then if you can talk to customers politely, understand their problems, and provide them with solutions, that is just enough, which companies often expect from their employees.
6. Online Tutor
One of the best flexible jobs for chronic illness is becoming an online tutor. If you have expertise in any subject like mathematics, science, social science, etc, becoming a tutor is an excellent job as it provides flexibility and the opportunity to work from home.
And by the way, nowadays, many people want to learn English, especially those who belong to non-native English-speaking countries. Oftentimes, they learn grammar in school, but they can’t improve their fluency because they don’t have an English-speaking friend, especially a native one.
If you are interested in teaching subjects like mathematics and science, you can choose to work on Chegg Tutors, Tutor.com, VIPKid, Skooli, Preply, etc., and if you want to teach English to know native English speakers, you can work on Cambly, iTalki, Teach Away, etc.
As an English speaker, it will be easier for you to learn basic English grammar and become a teacher on an online app that teaches English.
7. Data Entry Specialist
One of the best low-stress jobs for autoimmune conditions is data entry. It is very simple, and often, it doesn’t require you to have prior experience. Being a data entry specialist, you’ll have to do some simple tasks like managing data, inputting information, etc.
The first benefit that I have mentioned above is that data entry jobs don’t require previous experience, so the other thing that I like about data entry jobs is that they offer flexibility so you can set your hours and also offer work-from-home options, meaning you can work remotely.
By becoming a data entry specialist, you can earn a stable income without compromising your well-being. Besides working for a company, you can also work as a freelancer on Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer, People Per Hour, etc. There are already many people on these websites who are making pretty a data entry specialist.
8. Health Coach
As you’re already suffering from health issues like an autoimmune disease, you can become a health coach and help others to manage their symptoms. Beginning a health coach provides you the flexibility to work from home and set your own hours while managing your symptoms and focusing on your health.
It’s not only an option that you’ve to provide health support like managing people’s symptoms; you can also become a health coach who will help people lose body weight, gain muscle mass, and provide a diet plan according to their body needs.
Perhaps you’ll need a certificate to become a professional course. The health and fitness industry is huge, and there are many opportunities to work from home and make a good amount, but knowledge and dedication are very important because you cannot compromise anyone’s health.
9. Social Media Manager
Social media is very popular nowadays in this 21st century. People from all over the world are using social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Therefore, many businesses take advantage of these platforms to reach out to the targeted audience.
Many times, they don’t have enough time to use social media by themselves as they have to focus on other works related to their business, so they hire social media managers who can post regularly on social media on the business’s behalf and reply to customers if they have any inquiries.
Income depends on what type of job you are doing and what your role is, whether you’re someone who makes videos and designs photos or you’re just someone who uploads already designed videos and photos with nice titles, tags, and descriptions in them.
Being a social media manager, your main target is to grow the social media account for a business, influencer, or any other individual. The flexibility of a social media manager makes it one of the supportive careers for autoimmune disorders.
10. Accountant
If you’re looking for the best careers for autoimmune diseases that also provide high-paying income, then becoming an accountant is the perfect choice. Being an accountant, your job is to manage financial records, analyze data, prepare reports, etc.
Moreover, you can do this job in a low-stress environment, sitting in your personal space, like your home. It is suitable for those who are chronically sick because, due to flexibility, you can easily manage your symptoms.
However, if you apply for a company, you might be asked to provide a certificate and resume.
Tips for Finding the Best Careers for Autoimmune Disease
These are some of the important tips you need to consider when choosing the best careers for auto immune disease. No matter whether you choose the job I’ve mentioned or any other, always get those jobs that match the tips down below.
Identify Job Flexibility
When looking for the best careers for autoimmune disease, it’s important you select a job that offers flexibility so that you can set your own flexible hours to work, whether in the morning or at night; the choice should be yours.
The job shouldn’t be high-pressure; it needs to be a little easier job where you can adjust your workload if symptoms occur during the work.
Choose a job that supports your mental and physical health and reduces the risks of burnout.
Look for Remote Jobs Opportunities
Remote jobs are perfect for you if you’re having chronic conditions as they allow you to work from anywhere, sitting on your couch or lying on the bed.
When looking for the best careers for autoimmune disease, make sure jobs or employers are letting you have control over your work and life.
You can consider autoimmune careers options like freelance writing, becoming a virtual assistant or a graphic designer, as they’re often in trend on freelancing platforms like Upwork.
If you get a remote job, you can work from home while managing your autoimmune disease symptoms. You can make a personal workspace somewhere in your home and set working hours to maintain proficiency.
This level of control over your job and life will positively impact your physical and mental health when facing health issues and having a job to make money.
Use technology and tools
You want to be productive and fast, especially when you’re working from home while suffering from health issues. Therefore, you’ve to take advantage of tools and technology. You’ve to use time management software, time-tracking apps, and communication platforms.
If you’re working as a writer, you can have ergonomic keywords, speech-to-text software, an adjustable desk, etc. If you include technology in your work, it’ll surely help you get your work done quicker and rest the whole day.
Where to find the best careers for autoimmune disease?
There are many online job searching websites like Indeed, Monster, etc, where you can find on-site or remote jobs. Many jobs that I’ve mentioned throughout the article are also available on freelancing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, People Per Hour, and many, many more.
Besides this, if you want to work on-site, like in Offices, you can take advantage of networking and ask your colleagues, family members, relatives, and friends if they can help you get a suitable job for people with autoimmune diseases.
Having a flexible job is important when suffering from health issues, especially chronically.
Indeed, LinkedIn is helpful too in finding the best careers for auto immune disease. So, these are some autoimmune disease career tips that can help you find a job.
How to Manage a Career with Autoimmune Disease?
It’s important to have a balance between your working hours and life; here are a few tips that can help you manage your career and succeed in it.
Effective Time Management
Managing a career with an autoimmune disease is important; you’ve to focus on your self-care, including mental and physical health. If you’re feeling fatigued or have any other symptoms, kindly take some steps to manage your stress level.
A healthy diet, deep breathing, exercises, yoga, and meditation are important things you can do every morning. If your job is hard, like warehouse night shift jobs, you want to make sure to talk with your employer and discuss that your health is not compromised.
Self-care will help you face all the challenges of autoimmune disease and have a work-life balance.
Open Communication with Employers and Clients
You have to talk to your employers and clients, if you’re working on freelancing platforms, about your health conditions, that sometimes you can’t provide work on time because of an autoimmune disorder as symptoms can occur unpredictably at any time. Don’t forget to mention the flexibility and remote work option if you’re working for a company.
You should also tell your employers that you need frequent rank, rest, etc; that’s how you’ll create a supportive environment.
Conclusion
These are some of the best careers for autoimmune disease, and they will provide you with flexibility and the opportunity to work from home. In the end, I would say not to compromise your health. If you’re working for a company, you have to have a discussion about your disease with your employer.
When you’re working from home, I recommend setting up a home office so that you can maintain proficiency and work effectively, focusing on the task. Having a balance between your personal life and work life is important, especially when you’ve got a chronic condition or other health issues.
Make sure to do regular exercise for your Physical health and also prioritize your mental health; mindfulness, meditation, yoga, etc are excellent choices for you when suffering from any health-related condition. They’re good even for those who aren’t suffering from any health issues because prevention is always better than cure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are some of the most important things that every person who is suffering from chronic illness needs to know.
H3: What are the best careers for people with autoimmune diseases?
Some of the best careers for people with autoimmune diseases are those professions that provide you flexibility and a choice to work from home, such as working as a freelancer, graphic designer, proofreader, virtual assistant, etc.
Because autoimmune disease is unpredictable, you don’t know when symptoms can occur. Therefore, if you’re at home, you can take a rest, and you can do that when you have a flexible job that you can do remotely.
Can I work full-time with an autoimmune disease?
Of course, you can work a full-time job with an autoimmune disease, but make sure it provides you flexibility because symptoms might be unpredictable. Besides this, when you want to have a full-time job, make sure to discuss your health issues with your employer.
What should I look for in a job if I have an autoimmune disease?
The first thing you need to focus on while looking for an autoimmune career is flexibility so that you can work hours. Option to work from home, a low-stress job with a supportive environment, predictable routine, and where you can also take frequent breaks, are always a perfect job for you when suffering from autoimmune disease or other health issues.
You also have to avoid some types of jobs that involve a high-stress environment, physical demands, long working hours, lack of flexibility, etc.
Are there any high-paying jobs for people with autoimmune diseases?
Of course, there are six-figure jobs for someone with an autoimmune disease. However, to get a high-paying job, you’re also required to have quality skills and experience; for example, content writing is one of the high-paying jobs, but you only make a decent income when you’re an experienced writer with skills, but it’s easy to learn.
How can I manage a career with an autoimmune disease?
You’ve to set some boundaries and be realistic with yourself; try to find out what things worsen your symptoms and avoid them, as you won’t want to get burned out.
Having an open discussion with the employer is a good decision; you can talk about accommodations like flexibility, breaks between work, and possibly if you can work from home.
